‘He is better off going’, Louis van Gaal urges Man United defender to join Barcelona

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has urged compatriot Daley Blind to pursue a winter move to Barcelona. The Netherlands international has received playing time in the Premier League this term with his last start coming in the final week of August.

Van Gaal has previously hit out at the club’s hierarchy for the way he was ousted from United in 2016, and he has continued his war of words by advising Blind to push for a potential exit from Old Trafford.

In a report covered by The Mirror, he said: “Daley Blind is better off going to Barcelona, than staying with Man United. He is not even on the bench for United sometimes. Daley can play in more than one position and at Barcelona he would never be sat in the stand.

“I think Daley would fit in better at Barcelona anyway. His level and his style of play is more suited to Spain than England. He can operate as a central defender who builds up the play. He can be a defensive midfielder or an attacking left back. Daley can do it all.”

Blind has managed just one top-flight appearance since September, and his future remains uncertain heading into the New Year with United yet to trigger a 12-month extension, which could prolong his stay beyond June 2018.

Despite this, Mourinho would be reluctant to offload the Dutchman midway through the campaign, with United still having a lot to play for in three competitions, where the luxury of defensive options could keep the players afresh.

Ashley Young has been the preferred choice at left-back for the Premier League duties, but this has not been the case in Europe where Blind and Shaw have got turns to impress during the group phase, although Mourinho could turn to the veteran for the round of 16 tie versus Sevilla.

 

 




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